Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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METERING TAP
The present invention relates to a tap for dispensing a liquid
from a reservoir. In particular the present invention relates to a tap for
dispensing a metered quantity of liquid from a reservoir.
A wide variety of liquids are dispensed from reservoirs. Often
the liquids being dispensed are required in prescribed quantifies. Various
measures may be used. Generally, a conventional tap is used to dispense
liquid into a measuring cup. However, there have been proposed a number of
dispensing devices that measure the quantity of liquid prior to dispensing the
required quantity. Generally such devices are of complex construction and
expensive to manufacture and not suitable for widespread use across a
variety of applications.
We have now found a simple yet effective means for dispensing
a preselected volume of liquid. According to the present invention there is
provided a metering tap comprising a housing and a rotatable valve disposed
within said housing, said housing having an inlet and an outlet, the housing
and the rotatable valve forming a chamber of a preselected volume wherein in
a priming condition the rotatable valve is oriented whereby the inlet is open
and the outlet is closed, wherein in an intermediate condition the rotatable
valve is oriented whereby the inlet is closed and the outlet is closed, and
wherein in a dispensing condition the rotatable valve is oriented whereby the
inlet is closed and the outlet is open.
The metering tap of the present invention may be used for
dispensing fluid supplied from any convenient source. For example the
~5 metering tap may be disposed on the end of a pipe or hose and be connected
to a continuously flowing source. A continuous source may be a similar to a
mains water supply.
In a preferred form of the present invention the metering tap is
mounted on a container filled with a fluid to be dispensed in metered doses.
The metering tap may be fixedly mounted on the container or removably
mounted on the container. The metering tap may be mounted directly on the
container, such as by engaging with an aperture in the container. The
metering tap may snap fit into the aperture or may screw into the aperture
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with a screw thread. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that
other
forms of mounting may be applicable. Alternatively an adapter may be
mounted into the aperture and the metering tap engaged with the adapter.
The metering tap may be rotatably engaged with the adapter such that the
metering tap can dispense the fluid through a nozzle that is fixed to the
housing.
The housing may be of any convenient shape that may be
selected based upon ergonomic and/or aesthetic considerations. The housing
is configured to have the rotatable valve disposed therein for rotation. In
one
1o form, the housing may have a cylindrical bore extending therein, into which
bore the rotatable valve may be inserted. The rotatable valve may have the
chamber formed within the rotatable valve. Alternatively, the rotatable valve
cooperates with the housing to form the chamber. In another form the
housing may form the chamber and the rotatable valve simply function as a
valve for opening and closing the inlet and outlet respectively.
The housing has an inlet for allowing a fluid to fill the chamber.
The inlet may include a connector that extends through the housing for fluid
communication between the fluid source and the chamber. The connector
preferably engages the fluid source in a removable fashion although a
permanent fixture falls within the ambit of the present invention. The housing
may preferably be snap-fitted or screwed to the fluid source. Whilst it is
preferred that the inlet is located on the outside of the container and
include
connection therewith, the inlet, and optionally for the remote end of the
rotatable valve may extend into the container.
2 5 The housing may have a bore that receives the rotatable valve.
The bore or may be an open bore or a closed bore. In the embodiment in
which the housing includes a closed bore the rotatable valve may be open
adjacent the base of the bore, with the bore closing the chamber. In an
alternative embodiment the bore may be an open bore extending through the
housing. The remote end of the bore may be fully or partially open. It is
advantageous that the remote end of the bore be partially open and the
rotatable valve includes a retention stop that limits its rotation. Suitably
placed retention stops allow the rotatable valve to be aligned with the inlet
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and outlet in the housing for filling and dispensing from the metering tap.
The rotatable valve may of suitable configuration based on the
type of housing employed. For example, where the housing forms the
chamber the rotatable valve simply needs to operate as a valve on both the
inlet and the outlet. In a preferred form of the present invention the
rotatable
valve cooperates with the housing to form the chamber. The rotatable valve
itself may also form the chamber within its form whereby the chamber is
brought into fluid communication with the inlet and the outlet respectively in
the various conditions of the metering tap.
1o In a preferred form the rotatable valve includes a chamber. The
chamber may have apertures that align with the inlet and outlet in the housing
respectively. In a filling condition an aperture within the chamber aligned
with
the inlet and upon rotation of the rotatable valve the same or another
aperture
aligned with the outlet to dispense with a metered quantity of fluid.
The inlet may simply be an aperture in the housing in fluid
communication with the source of the fluid. The inlet may be of more
complex construction. The inlet may include a clear viewing portion that
allows the user to observe the flow of fluid into the metering tap.
The outlet may simply be an aperture in the housing or
2 o preferably may include a spout or nozzle whereby the flow of fluid from
the
chamber may be readily directed and controlled.
An air bleed may be associated with the outlet whereby air is
allowed into the chamber whilst the outlet is open such that the dispensing of
fluid from the chamber is facilitated. Preferably the air bleed is disposed in
2 5 the top of the chamber whereas the outlet is disposed in the bottom of the
chamber.
An airlock may be formed in the chamber. In order to remove
the airlock an air bleed may be provided as described above. It is preferred
that the fill opening in the rotatable valve is located at the top of the
chamber
3 o so that no air remains trapped in the filled chamber. It is preferred that
the
chamber is located below the inlet, although it is acceptable for the top of
the
chamber to be located at the same level as of the inlet. In one preferred form
the chamber may be of irregular shape such that it is maintained in a filling
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condition below the inlet.
The housing and the rotatab(e valve may form a chamber.
Whilst in the preferred form of the invention the housing cooperates with the
rotating valve to form the chamber, the present invention also embraces a
chamber formed substantially by either the housing or the rotatable valve.
Such configurations may simply employ the other component to seal the inlet
or the outlet in the various conditions. In the preferred embodiment, a closed
bore in the housing cooperating with a cup-shaped rotating valve forms the
chamber. In this preferred configuration the end of the closed bore includes
the inlet and the rotating valve includes an extension that operates to open
and close the inlet. Cooperating apertures in the bottom of the housing and
the rotating valve respectively form the outlet.
The chamber may be of fixed volume determined in the
manufacture of the metering tap. In one form the chamber may be of variable
volume such as by employing a telescoping, rotating valve cooperating with
the housing.
The telescoping, rotating valve may be in the form of opposed
cup sections that are slideably engaged with each other, the chamber being
formed by the cavity within the opposed cup sections. In an alternative
embodiment, the telescoping, rotating valve may be in the form of an outer
sleeve having a plunger disposed with said sleeve. The plunger may have a
rubber seal that defines the end of the chamber remote from the inlet. A
telescoping, rotating valve of this type may be in a form similar to that of a
syringe.
In another form, for the volume of the chamber may be
controlled by forming the rotatable valve with an open ended cylinder having a
handle at one end and into which he is located a stop at the other. These
stop may be of a shape chosen to extend into the chamber and limit its
volume. A variety of stops may be provided so that the user may vary the
3 o volume of the chamber to suit the particular application. Alternatively, a
fixed
and all may be provided to the chamber and a removable handle may extend
into the chamber and control its volume.
The housing and the rotating valve may engage each other by
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via a peripheral seal disposed on the inside of the housing. The use of a seal
may not be required if the respective components may be manufactured to
required tolerances. Suitable seals may be in the form of a rubberised
washer or an o-ring.
5 The chamber, whether formed within the rotatable valve, or
otherwise, may be oriented horizontally, vertically or inclined to the
vertical.
The chamber may radiate outwardly from the container or may be aligned
longitudinally with the perimeter of the container. The chamber may be
aligned in any other convenient manner.
1o In the priming condition the metering tap allows the chamber to
be filled with fluid. The inlet in open to the source of fluid and the outlet
is
closed.
In the dispensing condition the metering tap allows fluid filling
the chamber to be dispensed. The inlet is closed to the source of fluid and
the outlet is open such that fluid disposed within the chamber is dispensed.
In the intermediate condition both the inlet and outlet are closed.
As the rotatable valve is rotated from the priming condition to the dispensing
condition the intermediate condition prevents the unregulated dispensing of
fluid. !t may be desirable to leave the metering tap in the intermediate
2 0 condition after the fluid has been dispensed from the chamber during
storage
so that fluid is not left in the chamber during storage.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the rotatable
valve may be rotatable to an open condition wherein both the inlet and the
outlet are open. In this condition the metering tap functions as a simple
valve
allowing the continuous discharge of fluid.
The rotating valve rotates in the housing between various
positions that correspond to the various conditions including the priming
condition, the intermediate condition and the dispensing condition as well as
optionally an open condition. Stops may be provided to assist the user in
locating the various operative conditions of the metering tap. The stops may
be in the form of end stops that prevent the rotating valve from being rotated
past desired conditions.
In a basic form of the invention the rotating valve has three
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positions corresponding to the priming condition, the intermediate condition
and the dispensing condition. End stops may be provided to prevent the
rotating valve being rotated past the priming condition and the dispensing
condition respectively. The intermediate condition may be located with a stop
or may simply be the continuum between the priming condition and the
dispensing condition. Alternatively the intermediate condition may be located
with a stop. A suitable stop for the rotating valve that assists the user
identify
a position associated with a desired condition may be in the form of a
projection disposed on the periphery of the rotating valve associated with a
notch on the housing. Alternatively the notch may be disposed on the
rotating valve and the projection disposed on the housing. Suitable
projections include rounded projections that may be readily engaged and
disengaged with their associated notches.
The metering tap of the present invention may also include a
variety of additional components as may be selected by persons skilled in the
field.
The present invention will now be described with reference to
the accompanying drawings. It will be understood that the accompanying
drawings are provided for illustrative purposes and are not intended to limit
the scope of the present invention.
Figure 1 shows a plan view of a metering tap according to one
embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 shows an exploded plan view of the metering tap
shown in Figure 1.
Figure 3 shows an end view of the housing of the metering tap
shown n Figure 1.
Figure 4 shows a plan view of a telescoping, rotating valve that
may be inserted into the housing shown in Figures 1 to 3.
Figure 5 shows a side cross-sectional view of a metering tap
3o according to another embodiment of the invention.
Figure 6a shows a side cross-sectional view of a metering tap
according to another embodiment of the invention.
Figure 6b shows a side cross-sectional view of the metering tap
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shown in Figure 6a where the rotatable valve is rotated to a dispensing
condition.
Figure 7 shows a side cross-sectional view of a metering tap
according to another embodiment of the invention.
Figure 8 shows a side cross-sectional view of the metering tap
of Figure 7 with a different sized ended stop.
Figure 9 shows a side cross-sectional view of the metering tap
of Figure 7 with a different sized and stop.
Figure 10 shows a side cross-sections! view of a metering tap of
1 o another embodiment of the present invention with the rotatable valve
extending into the container.
Figure 11 shows a side cross-sectional view of a metering tap of
another embodiment of the invention.
Figure 12 shows a side cross-secfiional view of a metering tap of
another embodiment of the invention.
Figure 13 shows a side cross-sectional view of a metering tap of
another embodiment of the invention.
Figure 14 shows a side cross-sectional view of a metering tap of
another embodiment of the invention.
2 o Figure 15 shows a side cross-sectional view of a modified
metering tap according to Figure 14.
Figure 16 shows a side view of a metering tap according to the
invention.
Figure 17 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the
metering tap shown in figure 16.
Figure 18 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a
modified metering tap according to figure 16.
Figure 19 shows a side cross-sectional view of a metering tap of
another embodiment of the invention.
Figure 20 shows a side cross-sectional view of a metering tap of
another embodiment of the invention.
Figure 21 shows a side cross-sectional view of a metering tap
according to the invention having a shroud over the outlet.
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Figure 22 shows a side cross-sectional view of a metering tap
according to the invention having a modified shroud over the outlet.
In Figures 1 and 2 there is shown a metering tap 10 that may be
screwed into a container (not shown) for dispensing fluid from the container
in
metered quantities. The metering tap 10 includes a housing 20 and a rotating
valve 50. The housing 20 has a screw fitting 25 that may be screwed into a
corresponding threaded aperture in the container (not shown). The housing
20 has a cylindrical bore 21 into which the rotating valve 50 is rotatably
engaged. A nozzle 40 is disposed on the underside of the housing 20.
The rotatable valve 50 has a lever 55 that allows an operator to
rotate the rotatable valve 50. The rotatable valve 50 is substantially hollow
whereby the cavity therein forms the metering chamber 53. The outer wall 51
of the rotating valve 50 is closely seated in the cylindrical bore 21 to
prevent
leakage of fluid therefrom. In the outer wall 51 there is a first orifice 60
that
with the rotating valve 50 oriented to a dispensing condition is aligned with
the
nozzle 40. In the intermediate condition and the priming condition the first
orifice 60 is disposed in abutment with the internal surface 22 of the
cylindrical bore 21 such that fluid within the chamber 53 is retained therein.
A second orifice 70 is disposed on the end wall 52 of the
rotating valve 50. In the priming condition the second orifice 70 is aligned
with an inlet 30 (shown in Figure 3). In the intermediate condition and the
dispensing condition the second orifice 70 is disposed in abutment with the
internal surface of the blind end 23 cylindrical bore 21 such that fluid
cannot
enter the chamber 53 from the container (not shown).
Figure 4 shows a telescoping rotating valve 150 formed from a
first slidable portion 158 and a second slidable portion 159. The first
slidable
portion 158 is slidable within the second slidable portion 159. The second
slidable portion 159 has a lever 155 that allows an operator to rotate the
telescoping rotatable valve 150. The telescoping rotatable valve 150 is
substantially hollow whereby the cavity therein forms the metering chamber
153.
The outer wall 151 of the second slidable portion 159 is closely
seated in the cylindrical bore 21 to prevent leakage of fluid therefrom. In
the
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outer wall 151 there is a first orifice 160 that with the rotating valve 150
oriented to a dispensing condition is aligned with the nozzle 40. In the
intermediate condition and the priming condition the first orifice 160 is
disposed in abutment with the internal surface 22 of the cylindrical bore 21
such that fluid within the chamber 153 is retained therein.
A second orifice 170 is disposed on the end wall 152 of the
second slidable portion 159. In the priming condition the second orifice 170
is
aligned with an inlet 30 (shown in Figure 3). In the intermediate condition
and
the dispensing condition the second orifice 170 is disposed in abutment with
1 o the internal surface of the blind end 23 cylindrical bore 21 such that
fluid
cannot enter the chamber 153 from the container (not shown).
The inner wall 180 of the second slidable portion 159 has a
projection 185 that engages with a guide channel 195 in the outer wall 190 of
the first slidable portion 158. The guide channel 195 extends longitudinally
along the first slidable portion 158 although to allow a finer control of the
volume of chamber 153 a channel 195 that is disposed in a spiral around the
outer wall 190 may be used. Graduations 200 are provided on the outer wall
190 that when aligned with the housing 20 permit the volume of the chamber
153 to be controlled.
2 o Figure 5 shows a metering tap 201 formed of a housing 202
there is engaged with these side or of a container 203. A rotatable valve 204
includes a handle 205. The handle 205 is press sealed with a sleeve 206.
The sleeve 206 includes an opening 207 that aligns with outlet 208 in the
dispensing condition (not shown). Opening 209 is aligned with the inlet 210
such that fluid can pass into the sleeve 206 in the priming condition shown.
Figures 6a and 6b show a metering tap to 20 into the priming
and dispensing conditions is respectively. In figure 6a opening 229 is aligned
with the inlet 230. In that the dispensing condition shown in figure 6b a
opening 227 is aligned with the outlet 228.
3o Figures 7 8 and 9 show a rotatable valve 240. The rotatable
valve 240 includes a cylindrical sleeve 241 in which apertures 242 and 243
are disposed. The sleeve 241 includes a handle 244. The remote end of the
sleeve his sealed where the end stops 245 246 and 247 respectively. End
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stops 245 extends into the sleeve 241 to provide an internal volume of 15 ml.
End stops 246 extends less into the sleeve and provides an internal volume
of 25 ml. End stops 247 includes a concave surface 248 that allows the
internal volume of the sleeve 241 to be 30 ml.
5 Figure 10 shows a metering tap 250 having a rotatable valve
251 that extends into the container 252. The metering tap 250 has a housing
253 that screws into the container 252. The rotatable valve 251 forms a
chamber 254 that has an opening 255 that is aligned with an inlet 256 into the
housing 253.
1o Figure 11 shows a metering tap 260 having a convoluted inlet
261. The convoluted inlet 261 includes a transparent window 262 that allows
the user to observe fluid flying into chamber 263.
Figure 12 shows a metering tap 270 having an internal portion
272 of chamber 271 blocked such that the internal portion to 72 does not
form a trap for retaining air within the chamber 271 into the priming
condition.
An 0-ring 273 provides a seal between the sleeve 274 and the housing 275.
Figure 13 shows a metering tap 280 and includes a washer 281
disposed between the sleeve 282 and the housing 283.
Figure 14 shows a convoluted inlet 291 in a metering tap 290.
The convoluted inlet 291 is aligned with an opening 292 in the top of the
chamber 293 in the priming condition. The end of the housing 294 years
closed. Figure 15 shows a housing 295 having an open portion that can
engage a retention stopped 296 that limits of the rotation of the rotatable
bar
of 297.
Figure 16 and 17 show a metering tap 300 with an inlet 301
aligned above the outlet 302. Rotation of the rotatable valve 303 causes and
opening in the sleeve 304 to align respectively with the convoluted inlet 301
and the outlet 302. Figure 18 shows the convoluted inlet 305 located around
the housing 306 so as to reduce the overall height of the metering tap 307
compared to the metering tap 300.
Figure 19 shows a vertically oriented metering tap 310. The
housing 311 includes an inlet 312 and an outlet 313. A rotatable valve 314
includes openings 315 and 316 that aligned with the inlet 312 and the outlet
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313 respectively. Figure 20 shows a variation on the metering tap 310 shown
in figure 19. The metering tap 325 shown in figure 20 includes an outlet 326
that is vertically oriented.
The figure 21 shows a shroud 340 mounted over the outlet 341.
Figure 20 to shows a shroud 350 mounted over outlet 351.
In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described
in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is
to
be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or
described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of
putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any
of
its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims
appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.
